The "Like Father, Like Son" Story

Evan and Mike in Mike's glass studio.

 It was an ordinary day.  Just finished visiting with a former student of mine, Mike, and his son Evan.  Recently saw an article in the local paper about Evan and a classmate of his who were making a film that they plan to submit to the Sundance Film Festival with the hopes of having it selected to be shown at the festival in the near future.  Made me think of his dad and the talent that he exhibited as a student in high school.  I had Mike in my Graphic Arts classes in 1979 and 1980.  

Mike with one of his designs.

Mike was one of the best students I had in the 33 years that I taught high school.  His attention to detail in all that he did was incredible, and it has carried over into his professional life.  Mike is the founder and owner of Lancaster Stained Glass Designs in Lancaster which he started in the early 2000s.  I can still visualize one of Mike's designs when he was a senior taking my second year class.  All students were required to design and print a multi-color hand-cut silkscreen T-shirt.  Mike's design was for the Colorguard of the marching band at Manheim Township High School. It featured a bird with wings spread open and flames in the background.  Must have been a half-dozen colors or more and when he finished printing the dozen of so shirts, the registration (all colors lining-up correctly) was perfect.  Extremely hard for a professional to accomplish by hand, yet alone a young high school student.  I just knew he had a brilliant future ahead of him.  Mike couldn't afford college, but eventually found a job with a well-known professional photographer in Lancaster.  In 1986 he began a part-time glass studio which would eventually become his profession.  He eventually left the photography business to work in the technology field until he finally decided to go full time in his own glass studio in 2001.  Most of Mike's clients rely on him for their designs which he produces on his CAD system.  Seems his son Evan has inherited his artistic talent and determination. Evan will be a high school senior this year and has hopes of studying computer science in college.  Has  has already applied to University of Pittsburgh and is awaiting their acceptance.  He first got interested in videography in Manheim Township Middle School when he worked in the TV Studio.  Continued his interest in high school with courses in Cinematography and Broadcast Video.  

Evan with one of his cameras he uses for his films.

Evan, along with his friend Nick, hope the film they are producing will be one of the 85 submissions that advance at Sundance.  Another of the duo's films was one of the 12 finalists recently in the "60-Second Film Festival" in Lancaster.  The family genes will definitely be to his advantage in his endeavors and I'm sure his dad's influence coupled with his talent will make him a huge success.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.